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How many people or devices are using your network?Īnother important factor to consider in your search for the ideal internet speed is how many users and devices are on your network in a given day.
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To find out whether your internet speed is truly to blame, check out our guide on how to test your connection. Network congestion, poor router placement, interference from nearby networks and other factors can all slow things down.
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It's also important to note that having a fast internet package doesn't guarantee fast internet. With smart home gadgets growing in prevalence and our media consumption increasingly driven by streaming, it makes sense to opt for something closer to 100Mbps if plans like those are available in your area (and, frustratingly, in a lot places they still aren't). In March, a bipartisan group of senators called on the FCC to raise the bar for broadband by setting minimum speeds at 100Mbps.Īt any rate, if you make use of the internet on an everyday basis, you'll want to aim for something a little higher than 25Mbps if you can. The Federal Communications Commission defines anything faster than 25 megabits per second as " advanced service." For most, however, this is probably closer to the bare minimum. So let's break things down a bit and see how much home internet speed you really need. An older couple who only need the internet to look things up from time to time and keep up with the grandkids probably doesn't need as much as an avid gamer or streamer, for instance. We're here to help you understand just how much internet you need to be paying for.Īs with most services, your goal is to pay for what your unique usage needs require. Most internet service providers usually have a guide on their websites, but guides like those will sometimes try to upsell you on the benefits of faster speeds you might not actually use. Most plans have you pay for your internet speed and capacity, which prompts the question: How much internet speed do you really need? Whether you're moving to a new place or simply shopping around for new options, trying to figure out an internet plan can be more complicated than you might assume. Phil Barker/Future Publishing/Getty Images
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